University awards honorary degree to HRH The Duchess of Cornwall

The University of Southampton is delighted to award an Honorary Doctorate (Doctor of Science, honoris causa) to HRH The Duchess of Cornwall.

The Duchess of Cornwall received the doctorate alongside a number of PhD students receiving their Post Doctorate degrees at a unique ceremony at the Nuffield Theatre on Thursday (11 February).

The University of Southampton awards honorary degrees to inspiring individuals who distinguish themselves nationally and internationally, often in fields directly related to areas of expertise associated with the University.

The Duchess of Cornwall received the special award for her tireless leadership in supporting patients, researchers and health professionals engaged in the management of osteoporosis.

Professor Cyrus Cooper, Director of the Medical Research Council Lifecourse Epidemiology Centre, University of Southampton, has worked with The Duchess of Cornwall on a number of osteoporosis prevention projects.

He says: “As President of the National Osteoporosis Society, and a previous speaker for the International Osteoporosis Foundation, The Duchess of Cornwall has been a champion for all who work with, or suffer from, this debilitating disorder which leads to many thousands of fractures each year. The excellence of the clinical service and research programme here at the University of Southampton would not have been possible without the encouragement and support that she has given.”

The Duchess with Peter Smith, Sir Christopher Snowden & Hywel Morgan

The Duchess of Cornwall gave a short speech on receiving the award in which she praised the internationally-leading research into musculoskeletal disease carried out between the Faculty of Medicine and the University Hospitals Southampton NHS Foundation Trust.

The Duchess of Cornwall received the honorary doctorate alongside 13 PhD students who were receiving doctorates from varying areas of study including Chemistry, Optoelectronics, Modern Languages, Maths and Human Development and Health.

The ceremony was presided over by Professor Sir Christopher Snowden, Vice Chancellor of the University. Afterwards The Duchess of Cornwall visited the Institute for Life Sciences where she met with academics and saw various research projects into hybrid bio devices, prosthetics and regenerative medicine.

Sir Christopher said: “We are delighted to be able to award The Duchess of Cornwall an honorary degree. Her dedication to helping people with osteoporosis is an inspiration and we are honoured she has accepted this award.”

The Duchess of Cornwall talks with Professor Hywel MorganThe Duchess visited the Institute for Life SciencesHRH talking with Dr Philipp SchneiderThe Duchess of Cornwall talking with Katy Rankin and Professor Cyrus CooperThe Duchess of Cornwall with fellow PhD graduatesThe Duchess of Cornwall with Professor Sir Christopher Snowden, Vice Chancellor of the UniversityThe Duchess of Cornwall with her honorary degreeThe Duchess of Cornwall talking with Dr Alex Dickinson and Katy RankinThe Duchess of Cornwall talking with University of Southampton staff.